The Newcastle electoral ward is bounded by the River Ogmore to the east, Heol-y-Bardd in the south, St Illtyd's Road and Swn Cloch yr Eglwys to the north. As well as the Newcastle area it includes Brynhyfryd, Ystrad Fawr and Bryntirion Hill.[2]
According to the 2011 UK Census the population of the ward was 5,421 (with 4,415 aged 18 or over).[3]
Newcastle is one of three wards to Bridgend Town Council, electing up to seven of the nineteen town councillors.[4]
Newcastle was also a county ward to Bridgend County Borough Council, electing two county councillors.[5] Prior to 1996, Newcastle was a ward to Mid Glamorgan County Council and Ogwr Borough Council.
A review of the electoral wards of the county borough was launched in January 2019, including the proposal that the Newcastle ward and the neighbouring Morfa ward be merged to form a new three-councillor ward of Bridgend Central.[6][7] This took effect from the 2022 local elections.
